Jillian Cade: (Fake) Paranormal Investigator

Gr 9 Up—Jillian Cade's mother is dead, and her father has disappeared on an unending research trip. To make ends meet, the teen is cashing in on her dad's reputation as a scholar of the supernatural and has taken over his paranormal investigation business with the help of her sweet younger cousin. She is guarding a lot of secrets behind her prickly demeanor, the least of which is that she doesn't actually believe in the paranormal. Jillian is forced to let her guard down when she takes on a case that might actually make her some money, meets an attractive boy who is almost too willing to help her, and finds her own obituary taped to her locker. Most of the novel reads like a detective story with a heavy romance bent; the meat of the paranormal plotline is stacked at the very end. The central mystery is solved, but unanswered questions about Jillian's family and her role in the increased paranormal activity around Los Angeles ensure a sequel. Klein's story is quick and funny despite its darker subject matter, and while there will be no huge surprises for readers, there will be no huge disappointments, either.